What does 1 John 2:10 mean?
John continues his discussion from previous verses. Love for one another is evidence of a close relationship to Christ. The believer who loves his brother abides or remains in the light, which is Christ. Those who do not, in contrast, are in darkness—they are at minimum failing to obey Christ's commands.The person who loves his brother has "no cause for stumbling." This phrase closely resembles the concept of "love your neighbor as yourself." The person who loves others has fulfilled the law and is living as they have been called to by Christ. The New Testament often refers to stumbling, falling or tripping as representative of a spiritual struggle or failure in someone's life (Romans 9:32, 33; 11:9; 14:13; 1 Corinthians 1:23; 8:9; 1 Peter 2:8; Jude 1:24). Job 4:4 also offers an ancient perspective on this concept, noting, "Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, and you have made firm the feeble knees."